Soaring High: Our Unforgettable Adventure at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival! 🎈
Every year since our kids were little, we’ve made it a tradition to visit our local balloon festival. It’s a big community event—everyone gathers at the school to watch a handful of hot air balloons lift off into the sky. We always thought it was magical, watching them inflate and drift away while chasers followed. But as we ventured beyond our small town and explored more of our Country, we realized that what once seemed extraordinary was just a glimpse of what’s out there. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for small town living, but at some point in your life, you need to experience more.
Our Desire For Adventure
My husband and I both grew up in small towns and didn’t travel much as kids or even as adults. We knew we wanted more for our family—more adventure, more experiences—so we made it a priority to explore the our Country together. Now, we’re on a journey that’s taken us far beyond our small-town roots, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Planning for the Balloon Fiesta
While planning our six-month trip, I managed to get us on the waitlist for the highly sought-after Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM. This event fills up years in advance, especially if you're hoping to score an electric RV site—luckily, we snagged one! Even better, we were attending through a Fulltime Families event, which meant we’d have the chance to connect with other families living the same RV lifestyle as us. It was the perfect combination of an amazing event and meeting like-minded people!
The Excitement Builds
This event took place just last month, and despite spending the week in a sandy parking lot we called home, I couldn’t have been more excited. The first week was dedicated to the Fulltime Families rally, so we had to wait a bit to see the balloons. That waiting only built up the anticipation, making us even more excited to see the balloons launch.
Witnessing the First Launch
On the first morning of the balloon fest, we set our alarm early and climbed onto the roof of our RV to witness the launch of dozens of balloons. Despite the windy conditions, we watched in awe as balloon after balloon rose over the horizon. The kids and I couldn't help but ooh and aah as they floated away, creating a breathtaking sight we’ll never forget.
A Surreal Morning
The next morning, the alarm went off again, but as usual, I stayed in bed, scrolling through my phone (if anyone has tips for breaking this habit, I’m all ears!). Suddenly, I heard a noise outside that sounded like a lound fan whirring. Curious, I glanced out the window—and there they were, hot air balloons surrounding our camper, the sound I heard was the torches blowing the balloons overhead! So this was what all the hype was about! The wind was perfect that day pushing the balloons our way. The balloons were flying right overhead and landing between campers nearby. We were in awe of their massive size, some towering nearly 100 feet, in all shapes and colors. The kids immediately started facetime their aunts and grandparents, eager to share the indescribable experience with everyone.
Grateful for These Moments
I know the kids don’t quite grasp how lucky they are to experience all of this yet, but I’m confident that one day it will hit them. As a parent, I feel incredibly fortunate—not only to witness these adventures for the first time myself but to see them unfold through their eyes. There’s something special about sharing these moments as a family, much like how we’ve built our RV life and business together. It’s not just about the balloons or the trips—it’s about creating memories that shape who they’ll become, and I’m grateful to be along for the ride.
Destination Highlight
In addition to the incredible Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque had so much more to offer. Here are a few of our favorite attractions:
Explora Children’s Museum – The kids loved this place so much that we visited it twice! It’s a hands-on science museum designed for children, where they can touch and play with everything. From giant building blocks to light and water exhibits, it was not only fun but also educational.
Main Event – As part of the Fulltime Families rally, we visited a local activity center with bowling, a ropes course, arcade games, and laser tag. It was our first time playing laser tag as a family, and we had a blast partaking in some friendly competition. The food here was also great—we couldn’t resist trying their giant sundae (check out my Instagram to see it!).
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science – Another educational stop we squeezed in without the kids even realizing it was schoolwork! This museum features fascinating exhibits, including an impressive focus on dinosaurs.
Albuquerque International Balloon Museum – As part of the Fulltime Families rally, we also visited the Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, where we learned all about the history of hot air balloons. The kids explored the exhibits and, for their history and science lesson that week, they each shared three fun facts they learned at the end of the visit. It was a great way to combine education with adventure!
What I’m Reading
This week, I’m reading Real Estate Campgrounds: How to Invest in Outdoor Hospitality with Campgrounds, RV Parks, and Glamping by Heather Blankenship. I'm part of her women’s mastermind, and since my husband and I have a dream of owning our own campground, buying this book was a no-brainer. It’s incredibly thorough, covering everything from purchasing to operating an RV park. I’m also currently going through Heather’s RV Bootcamp (more on that later), so this book has been the perfect companion to dive deeper into the industry.
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